The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Chile, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized a ‘Sri Lanka pavilion’ with the participation of twelve (12) Sri Lankan Tea exporting companies namely; Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Millennium Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Shan Teas (Pvt) Ltd, TDK Tea Solutions, Heritage Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Expoteas Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Maltras International (Pvt) Ltd, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Nature Ceylon, Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon and Tea Talk (Pvt) Ltd at the Espacio Food Service EXPO, which is one of the largest beverage exhibitions held in South America, from 26 to 28 September 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
Parallel to the exhibition, a press conference attended by over 35 journalists of electronic, print and social media platforms and a cocktail reception with the participation of over 175 guests representing Chilean tea importers, members of the Chilean Chambers of Commerce and other business entities, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile and other government officials and journalists were held in the evening of 27 September 2023 to promote Ceylon Tea in the Chilean market.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil Sumith Dassanayake, addressing the press conference and the reception, highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to develop the country as a maritime and investment hub and also to modernize its economy with a view to having a highly competitive green and digital economy. Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake also stated that Sri Lanka has already initiated discussions with many countries to expeditiously conclude bilateral trade agreements and also to join regional comprehensive economic and technological partnership arrangements to gain wider access to Sri Lankan products and services to new markets, especially to emerging markets.
Referring to Sri Lanka’s lucrative tourism industry, ambassador informed that Sri Lanka is a famous destination amongst international tourists as the island is the best place to visit by tourists with diverse interests. Ambassador Dassanayake also encouraged foreign direct investments from Chile and other South American countries to newly established industrial zones in Sri Lanka, especially to southern Hambanthota Port area, Colombo Port City and tea plantations. He further highlighted that Sri Lanka being the first country in South Asia that liberalized the economy in 1978, country has the knowledge and expertise to cater to the requirements of foreign investors and also that legal guarantees for foreign investments are ensured by Sri Lankan laws.
Addressing the events, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Niraj de Mel elaborated on the uniqueness of Ceylon Tea and the reputation it holds for its taste, aroma, purity and health benefits. The chairman requested the Chileans to consume more Ceylon Tea and encouraged the importers and buyers to purchase more Ceylon Tea and experience its benefits. He also ensured that Sri Lankan tea exporters under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Tea Board will continuously supply high quality Ceylon Tea to the Chilean market.
Responding to questions raised by the journalists, Chairman De Mel explained the measures undertaken by the Sri Lankan tea manufacturers to maintain high quality and how the quality and taste is affected by the geographic and climatic conditions in Sri Lanka to produce best quality tea.
Some of Sri Lankan exhibitors conducted tea tasting sessions at their stalls to showcase the premium quality and different fusions of Ceylon Tea.
In appreciation of prominent Ceylon Tea importers of Chile, they were awarded plaques for their contribution to promoting Ceylon Tea in Chilean Market by the Ambassador and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Sri Lankan Tea exporters participated in the exhibition were able to establish a large number of business contacts and also secured satisfactory orders to export Ceylon Tea to the Chilean Market.
Deputy Director of the Ceylon Tea Board Danushka Karunathilake and First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil Chathurika Perera were associated with the promotional event.
Colombo (LNW): On October 06, a petition was handed over to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the United Nations (UN) by a group of academics and civil society activists on the proposed act to establish a commission on online safety.
The petition was handed over by Prof Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Prof. H. Gambhera, and Dr Athulasiri Samarakon, Secretary of FUTA.
The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and the Export Development Board (EDB) is delighted to announce that FACETS Sri Lanka, Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition will be held at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand from January 6 to 8, 2024. The SLGJA, formed in 2002, is the apex body for the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka and represents all subsectors of the trade. Over the years FACETS Sri Lanka has become an important event in the international gem and jewellery calendar and this year too, it will serve as a much looked-forward to meeting point for the global gem and jewellery sector, attracting prominent traders, gemstone and jewellery wholesalers, exporters, manufacturers, lapidarists, retailers, and collectors from across the globe.
Sri Lanka has earned worldwide recognition as a veritable treasure trove of gemstones, renowned for producing some of the finest specimens in the world. As the oldest source country for coloured gemstones, Sri Lanka boasts a unique and vibrant selection of gemstones, complemented by exquisitely crafted jewellery that seamlessly blends international trends with elements of local culture.
Altaf Iqbal, Chairman of FACETS Sri Lanka, shared his comments on the upcoming show, and the new features of FACETS Sri Lanka 2024. “We are excited to announce the 30th edition of FACETS Sri Lanka in January of 2024. There will be a host of new additions to the show, such as the Sustainable Pavilion and the Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, which are sure to add to what is already an amazingly comprehensive gem and jewellery showcase.”
There will be several Pavilions showcased at FACETS Sri Lanka 2024 including the Premier Gem Pavilion, Premier Jewellery Pavilion, Sustainable Pavilion, Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, Rough Stone Pavilion, Gem Lab Pavilion, NGJA SME Pavilion, and the SLGJA Gem and Jewellery Pavilion. The event will also feature a special ‘Reminisce of the Past’ Event. The Premier Gem Pavilion has been a part of FACETS Sri Lanka since its inception. It will consist of leading Sri Lankan gem dealers who have been a part of FACETS Sri Lanka over an extended period of time, showcasing their gems for sale. The Premier Jewellery Pavilion will consist of prominent local jewellers, displaying their gems and finely crafted jewellery.
The Sustainable Pavilion is a first for FACETS Sri Lanka and will present the historical evolution of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector, along with its sustainability-related methods and approaches. It will also display the 2300-year history of the Sri Lankan gem trade from mine to market. The Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, which is another first in Sri Lanka, will display large, precious stones, and will be on sale on the final day of the show. The Rough Stone Pavilion will feature and display rough stones from all sourcing countries of the world.
The Premier Gem Lab Pavilion brings together leading local and international gem labs together under one roof. The NGJA SME Pavilion will offer selected SMEs from across the country to showcase their gems and jewellery. The SLGJA Gem and Jewellery Pavilion will showcase gem and jewellery stalls from SLGJA members.
The ‘Reminisce of the Past’ event will feature a variety of speakers including senior gem and jewellery merchants who will speak about a variety of topics including how business was conducted in the past, and how the industry has evolved from the early years of humble beginings, to what it is today.
Since its inception in 1991, FACETS Sri Lanka has thrived for 30 years, solidifying Sri Lanka’s reputation on the global stage as a premier destination for precious gems and jewellery. This exhibition consistently draws numerous international exhibitors and buyers and is a highly recommended destination for anyone in the Gem and Jewellery Industry. FACETS Sri Lanka 2024 will focus on the emotional resonance of design and craftsmanship and their evolution throughout history. Furthermore, it will offer insights into the future growth trajectory of the industry, emerging trends in jewellery design, and its anticipated appeal to a global audience in the years to come.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. on Wednesday (27) held a reception including aseries of cultural performances to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States of America. The event was held under the patronage of Chief Guest, M.U.M. Ali Sabry, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, the host on the occasion, welcomed the guests – special invitees from the U.S. government including the White House, Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Commerce, the IMF/World Bank, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Sri Lankan community, represented by several associations from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, among other guests.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Samarasinghe stated that the relationship between the U.S.A. and (then) Ceylon preceded the attainment of Independence in 1948. He traced significant developments in the friendship up to the present day. Looking forward to the future, he expressed the hope that the relationship would grow stronger in the next 25 years and in the years to come.
Clinton D. White, Counselor of the U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID) traced the history of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and USAID with assistance to the country dating back to 1956. The Counselor, who represented USAID Administrator Samantha Power, outlined the manifold sectors in which USAID is active in Sri Lanka and also looked to enhancing cooperation to enable the country to address and overcome the current economic challenges.
On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, stated that the young people of both societies would help grow the bilateral relationship by ensuring enhanced understanding and goodwill in the future.
Guest of Honour Chris Van Hollen, United States Senator for Maryland and Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reflected on his personal ties to Sri Lanka and expressed appreciation for the contributions of Sri Lankan Americans to the United States. He recalled his recent visit to the island and hoped that the multi-dimensional relations would continue to flourish.
The Keynote Speech was delivered by Chief Guest, Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry, who expressed appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by many agencies of the U.S. Government. The Minister noted that 2023 was also the 75th Anniversary of Independence from colonial rule. He outlined national priorities ranging from economic recovery to reconciliation and the positive contribution made by the United States in many of these spheres over time.He concluded by proposing a toast to the bilateral diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.
The guests and invitees were treated to a range of performances that exemplify the vibrant cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. It was led by Jananath Warakagoda, a Sri Lankan artiste of renown and his team, Natamu School of Traditional Sri Lankan Dance led by Chathuri Wickramaarachchi, SerendibDance led by Asanga Domask as well as dancer Ms. Achila Perera, whose performances captivated the audience.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. is grateful to the generous support extended by the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL), principal among several other sponsors, who supported the event as well as the production of a commemorative souvenir to mark the 75th anniversary. Basilur Tea provided attractive gift packs which were distributed among the invitees. The year 2023, during which many events were held to celebrate the special friendship, has been a productive one for the development of bilateral ties. The generosity and contribution from all, including from many Sri Lankan Americans, enabled the Embassy to organize and conduct these events without having recourse to any Government funding.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the 5th Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo yesterday (05), delivering a passionate speech that emphasized three crucial points: the urgency of the climate crisis, Sri Lanka’s ambitious climate plans and the dire state of global biodiversity.
President Wickremesinghe opened his speech by drawing attention to the pressing climate concerns facing the world today. He cited the alarming estimate from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stating that global warming is projected to reach a dangerous 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052. “Humanity is facing an existential threat,” he declared. He highlighted the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, emphasizing the devastating impact on individuals and communities worldwide.
The President then turned to Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing these challenges. He pledged to accelerate nature-based solutions, including renewable energy, through Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan, which was launched at COP 27. “Sri Lanka is in the process of renewing the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan 2016 to 2022 to achieve the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework,” he announced. Additionally, he unveiled an ambitious Net Zero 2050 roadmap for Sri Lanka, set to be launched at COP 28.
President Wickremesinghe stressed that despite Sri Lanka’s minor global emissions contribution (0.03%), the country is dedicated to significant reductions. Sri Lanka aims to achieve a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources, attain a 32% forest cover, phase out coal power by 2042, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The President also expressed deep concern over the state of global biodiversity. He lamented that the world has already lost 8% of known animal species, with 22% at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction and invasive species. “We are now losing biodiversity up to 10,000 times faster than it was disappearing 100 years ago,” he warned.
In conclusion, President Wickremesinghe’s speech outlined the urgent need for climate action, Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainability and the critical biodiversity challenges the world faces. The President’s call for collective action and his unveiling of ambitious climate plans underscored the gravity of the global situation.“Countries unwilling to do their part to stop the climate crisis are guilty of committing genocide,” he concluded.
Following is the full speech delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 5th Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific;
“I join our Minister of Environment in welcoming you to Sri Lanka. Humanity is facing an existential threat. The interlinked and cascading effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—the triple planetary crisis—are demanding a heavy toll on individuals, communities and threatening life on our planet. We are putting extreme pressure on the planet. The triple planetary crisis is already exceeding the planetary boundaries. The world has already lost 8% of known animal species and 22% are at risk of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitats and the introduction of invasive species. We are now losing biodiversity up to 10,000 times faster than it was disappearing 100 years ago. Declines in nature and biodiversity at the current trajectory will undermine the progress towards 35 out of 44 targets of the SDGs related to poverty, hunger, health, weather, cities, climates, oceans and land. In terms of change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052.
The other day, I read a blog by a young scientist, a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Her name is Sanjali De Silva. This is what she said: “People of Sri Lanka feel the impact of climate change every day. Those effects are overwhelmingly caused by the self-serving command and irresponsible action of the fossil fuel industry and the nations unwilling to do their part to stop the climate paradigm. My people of Sri Lanka and my family deserve better.” I agree wholeheartedly with her. Sri Lanka, her country and mine, has constantly been placed among the top risk of extreme weather events by the Climate Risk Index annually released by German Watch. Although Sri Lanka’s emissions are globally negligible, amounting to merely 0.03%, we, in our ambitious NDCs, have set targets for 2030 to achieve a 14.5% reduction of GHG emissions, a 70% electricity generation through renewable sources, 32% forest cover, weaning off coal power by 2042 and reaching net zero by 2050.
The Climate Prosperity Plan of Sri Lanka, launched at COP 27, aims at rapid augmentation of nature-based solutions, including renewable energy. The Net Zero 2050 roadmap for Sri Lanka will be launched at COP 28. Sri Lanka is in the process of renewing the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan 2016 to 2022 to achieve the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework. Since Sri Lanka is one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots, I have instructed the Ministry of Environment to formulate a national policy on living entities to conserve pristine ecosystems. Sri Lanka has formulated the national policy on waste management, covering nine categories of general and hazardous waste. The national policy on chemical management was formulated to streamline chemical management in the country. Sri Lanka formulated the national policy on sustainable consumption and production in 2019. The Green Procurement Policy and the Green Labelling Framework will come into effect this year. My government will enact a new Climate Change Act and a National Environment Act to address the triple planetary crisis in the context of new knowledge and practices. We are starting our transition to a green economy. But there is a cost. The Climate Prosperity Plan, which spans from 2023 to 2042, will require 26.5 billion U.S. dollars. The implementation of the Net Zero 2050 roadmap will require over 100 billion U.S. dollars. The list is not over. Where are we going to source these resources from? We cannot source all this money from within our country. The problem is not confined to Sri Lanka.
Developing countries require financing up to 5.9 trillion U.S. dollars to fulfil their NDCs up to 2030. A further 4 trillion U.S. dollars is required per annum for clean energy technology to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. At COP 27, there was an agreement to provide the lost and damaged funding for vulnerable countries hit by climate disaster. The Sharm El Sheikh Implementation Plan, a transitional committee was established. The meetings of the committee and the discussions at the recent sessions of the UN during the UN General Assembly have not resolved key questions.
a. Who will contribute? Is it the developed nations? EU, UK, Norway, among others, say all countries are liable to pay.
b. The question of criteria. Who will receive the funds?
c. Where to house the fund? At the World Bank or UNFCC?
d. Where do you find the money for the fund? Is it re-channelling existing funds or new additional funds? Delegates, these discussions are getting nowhere and it’s unlikely that these issues will be resolved by the time of COP 28.
The ability of global leaders to cooperate and provide a coordinated response to existential challenges such as climate change is missing in a scenario dominated by great power rivalries, geopolitical interests and in many cases domestic policy. For instance, it is not feasible to expect robust leadership of the United States in the global fight against climate change next year. The US will be caught up in an acrimonious election year and must first overcome domestic debates between climate deniers and those who are serious about addressing the issue. The Ukraine war will tie down Europe. The Indo-Pacific will witness further escalation of tension. Numerous global fora have attempted to address the issue of climate change. The Bridgetown Initiative, Paris Pact for People and Planet, and numerous initiatives by the UN Secretary-General. The issues and potential solutions have been well articulated at these events. What is missing is the money on the table, leadership and action.
Therefore, we in Asia-Pacific and others in the global south will need to galvanize an alternative leadership mechanism. What is crucial is that geopolitics and great power rivalries take a second place when it comes to addressing climate issues such as climate change and global environmental degradation. We need a climate justice forum to ensure that the countries least responsible for climate change do not bear a disproportionate share of the loss. We need to raise our collective voice and say, let’s get done with this. While the debate on the loss and damage fund continues, we should insist on the following: The money on the table is negligible, but let’s at least start with the 100 billion SDI initiatives available to the IMF and convert that into actions and positive outcomes. The developed economies should be held accountable for meeting their net zero targets at least by 2040. If they fail to stay in line with these targets, such countries should be required to compensate the rest of the world. These funds can help with the financing requirements for climate mitigation, adaptation and climate prosperity of developing nations. The global ambitions regarding finance of combating climate change have so far been woefully inadequate. It is also not just public funds that can resolve the magnitude of the issue at hand.
The Bridgetown initiative has clearly articulated the need for using the balance sheets of the NDBs to provide guarantees and leverage private funds to be channelled towards addressing climate change issues in developing nations. Additional volumes of concessionary financing at scale through the NDB are also a crucial requirement. Climate-related investments provide long-term returns, which cannot be financed by fragmented short-term high-cost private financing. The prevailing situation where global monetary tightening is pushing up market-linked lending rates of NDBs and the IMF is also an opportune moment to consider options of capping such rates or other means to avoid further fiscal burdens on borrowing nations. All three initiatives above would have been on the agenda in a serious manner long time ago had there been a greater voice of developing nations and the global south in the decision-making authorities of these global financial institutions. We must also press ahead with Kenya’s call for debt relief for low-income countries.
Parallel to these settings, we must finalize the loss and damage funds. In my view, all developed countries must contribute to the fund. We must also call for voluntary contributions by the developing countries, especially those exceeding the 2050 target. The Vanuatu Resolution has taken the issue of climate change before the International Court of Justice. This is the start of a process of recognizing climate justice as a human right. It is the core of the right to life. All other rights flow from the right to life. Countries unwilling to do their part to stop the climate crisis are guilty of committing genocide.”
Mr. Ali Salajegheh the Vice President of Iran and Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, Ms Elizabeth Maruma Mrema , Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Minister of Environment Mr Naseer Ahmed, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ali Sabry, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, Fisheries Minister Mr Douglas Devananda, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Aniva Marie Clarke, Representative of the Major Group for Children and Youth and representatives from member countries of the Asia Pacific region and professionals participated in this event.
Following the event, President Wickremesinghe held bilateral discussions with Mr. Ali Salajegheh the Vice President of Iran. The duo discussed climate changes in their respective countries and the obstacles they face as a result.
Colombo (LNW): The government has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the tax percentages can not be increased further at this juncture as requested and that the government was expecting to initiate discussions to request the IMF to reconsider its request, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.
He told Parliament that the IMF informed the government that tax revenue should be increased to some extent by the end of the first quarter of next year.
The Minister said if the tax revenue is to be increased, the tax percentage will have to be increased and that the government has informed the IMF that people cannot be burdened with more taxes at this juncture.
The Minister said this clarifying matters raised by the Opposition MPs that the IMF’s second tranche is delayed as the government has failed to fulfil the conditions of the IMF.
“It is not an issue of not implementing the IMF conditions. The IMF is expecting Sri Lanka to obtain tax revenue to a certain target by the end of the first quarter next year.
We have to increase the existing tax percentage to meet that tax revenue targets. We informed the IMF that the government is not in a position to further burden the people with taxes. The IMF stresses the need to increase tax revenue,” he said.
The Minister said the next round of discussions with the IMF is to request them to reconsider their request on increasing tax revenue.
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2024 after contracting by 3.8% in 2023, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, while signaling that the outlook is clouded with uncertainty and that growth prospects depend on progress with debt restructuring and the implementation of critical structural reforms.
The Sri Lanka Development Update, Mobilizing Tax Revenue for a Better Future, says that improved revenue mobilization is critical to Sri Lanka’s return to macroeconomic stability.
The country has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world. By 2022, the tax system was characterized by low, multiple, and frequently changing rates, a narrow and shrinking base, a high tax burden on labor rather than capital incomes, an over-reliance on indirect taxes, and a weak administration with poor compliance outcomes.
These features have made the system complex, inefficient and inequitable.A government-led tax reform package has been under implementation since May 2022.
Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Said “Current efforts to mobilize tax revenue should be coupled with continued reforms towards transparency of expenditures to build public confidence and to deliver better public services.”
The effective implementation of a Tax Administration Modernization Strategy will be essential to ensure that tax policy reforms translate into a sustained increase in revenue collection.
Core priorities should include the promotion of e-filing, the utilization of third-party information to strengthen compliance risk management, streamlining dispute resolution, and the recovery of taxes in default.
Colombo (LNW): The Shipping Corporation of India, Mumbai in conjunction with the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Aviation to launch a new passenger service linking South India and North of Sri Lanka.
The new passenger service would operate from Nagapattinam, India to the port of Kankesanthurai (KKS) Jaffna and vice versa, Indian high commission official said.
The vessel deployed will be High-Speed Craft (HSC) Cheriyapani and the inaugural call will be made at the KKS port on 6 October 2023.
The new passenger service would offer an excellent opportunity for the people of India to make low-cost travel to Jaffna, Sri Lanka further strengthening historical ties between the two nations.
The transit time between the two ports will be just 3 hours and to make the travel more economical the operators are willing to offer a 50 Kg free baggage allowance.
The passenger vessels will be handled at the brand new passenger terminal recently built by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at a cost of Rs. 450 million opening a new era of maritime travel and tourism for the Northern region.
Asha Agencies Ltd., (Pership Group Company) who are the local agents of SCI would serve as the General Sales Agent.
A journey in the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai sector, which is about 64 nautical miles long, is estimated to take three-and-a-half to four hours.
A ferry can carry 150-200 passengers Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the service in New Delhi recently.
On July 14, the India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee held a virtual meeting. It discussed the resumption of the ferry service between the two countries from mutually agreed points.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, led the Indian team. K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, headed the Sri Lankan side.
The announcement has triggered curiosity among observers of India-Sri Lanka relations because it will be after nearly 40 years that regular ferry services will be operated between Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province.
Speaking from Jaffna, Sritharan Thirunavukkarasu, president of the Social Democratic Party of Tamils, said he does not see any problem in the sector drawing adequate passengers.
“Historically, people had travelled on this route. Besides, given the proximity of Nagapattinam to places of religious importance such as Nagore, Velankanni and Chidambaram, people of different religions would like to use the service,” said Thirunavukkarasu.
Colombo (LNW): People can now report vehicles that release too much black smoke to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund.
Public complaints can be lodged via a message with a clear photo of the polluting vehicle and its location to WhatsApp at 070 350 0525.
Anyone using a vehicle that emits too much black smoke will be given a period of one month to fix the problem, or otherwise, their vehicle’s licence may be blacklisted, the Fund said.
It added that complaints can also be lodged in any event in which the services of the emission and testing centres fail to perform their duties properly, by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number, or calling 011 266 9915.
The Fund has found that nearly 30 per cent of vehicles in Sri Lanka release harmful black smoke.
This smoke can cause diseases like cancer and breathing problems, according to health experts.
State Minister of Rural Economy Mr. Kader Mastan has announced the initiation of a comprehensive program aimed at reducing the government’s expenditure on grain imports by providing seeds and market opportunities to rural cultivators across the country.
This program, initially launched in the Mannar district, is poised for nationwide expansion in the future. Minister of State Kader Mastan shared these insights during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre ywsterday (05), focusing on the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country.
Minister of State Kader Mastan further elaborated:
Various initiatives have been undertaken, guided by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to address the economic challenges facing the nation. These programs have contributed to the steady progress of the country, and owe the gratitude to the President for his leadership and vision. It is imperative to extend the full support to the projects that the President is spearheading.
In alignment with this commitment, the State Ministry is actively implementing a range of programs to bolster the rural economy, with a special focus on enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities. It has taken significant steps to provide essential seeds to rural cultivators and facilitate market access for their produce.
“For instance, we have already procured approximately 950 metric tons of green beans from the Mannar district alone through this initiative, contributing to substantial foreign exchange savings on grain imports. We have implemented numerous programs designed to promote agriculture and increase the participation of rural populations in the country’s economic development”.
“Our goal is to expand this program nationwide. Additionally, we are providing vital support for the establishment of goat farms, with the aim of transforming small-scale rural goat breeders into successful owners of large-scale goat farming enterprises within a span of 3-4 years”.
Moreover, through the ‘Hada Bima’ authority, it has facilitating the distribution of seedlings and chicks to rural residents engaged in agriculture and poultry management, respectively. The Ministry is also actively involved in the establishment of youth farming villages in various regions, fostering economic self-sufficiency at the village level. Efforts are underway to establish economic centres in different provinces across the island, with a focus on expediting the opening of completed centres.
President Wickremesinghe has also allocated funds for the renovation of lakes and canals in rural areas that support agricultural activities, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of farmers and enhancing their livelihoods, even amid the economic challenges the nation faces.
Additionally, this year, the ‘National Milad Festival’ is being held in Mannar district, accompanied by various development projects that will benefit the entire community.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has seen more foreign remittances this year, revealing a sum of US $3,863 million in the first eight months of 2023, reports claimed.
This is reportedly a greater value than the US $2,215 million received during the corresponding period of last year, revealed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
In August 2023, foreign remittances amounted to US $499 million, and the value stood at US $325 million in August 2022.
These figures appear in the backdrop where many people are leaving Sri Lanka for foreign employment, and about 311,056 have left the country this year.
With increasing tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka sees 904,318 tourist visits from January to August this year, and this is reportedly greater than the 496,430 tourists arrived in the country in the corresponding period in 2022.
In August this year, tourists spent US$ 211 million in Sri Lanka, and their spending amounted to US $219 million in July and only US$ 68 million in August the year before, according to data.
From January to August this year, tourists spending amounted to US $1,304 million, a value much greater than the US $833 million reported during the corresponding year of 2022.
Most of the tourist earnings are from countries like India, the UK, China, Germany, and Russia.
